Articles – The Simple Pastorhttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk
Write. Read. Run. Lead.Mon, 19 Mar 2018 13:18:15 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4https://i0.wp.com/thesimplepastor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/large-blog-image.png?fit=32%2C32Articles – The Simple Pastorhttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk
323211395317War is not going anywherehttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/war-is-not-going-anywhere/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/war-is-not-going-anywhere/#respondMon, 19 Mar 2018 13:18:15 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12530There is an argument being made, chiefly by people like Steven Pinker, that war is on the decline. Humanity is making progress and in the last 70 years or so the world has become a more peaceful place. I’m not so sure and I’m not alone in thinking that. Michael Mann says,

Critiquing Pinker’s statistics on war fatalities, I show that the overall pattern is not a decline in war, but substantial variation between periods and places. War has not declined and current trends are slightly in the opposite direction….Globally war and violence are not declining, but they are being transformed.

Unfortunately from Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Ukraine, the Congo there is still plenty of war and death around. Even if it hasn’t escalated to great power battles it isn’t because nations aren’t fighting over influence. it only takes two minutes to understand that in Syria where the Iranians, Russians, Saudis, Turks, Americans and a host of other minor players are all involved.

One of the reasons that there hasn’t been a major great power war is that these nations are now nuclear. The lack of war has been hailed as proof of concept. We need nuclear weapons so that we will never have to use them. It’s the sort of logic that only politicians use.

The problem is that it is no longer just ‘great powers’ (US, Russia, China, Britain & France) that have nuclear weapons. Israel, India, Pakistan and now North Korea do too. As a result the world is not a more peaceful place, it is a more dangerous one.

At a recent international security conference the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, summed it up by saying simply, “The world has moved closer — much too close — to the brink of major interstate war.” It is like 1914 again — except we have nuclear weapons.

Now I understand the topic of conversation at a security conference is always war and a statement like that generates headlines but I also happen to think that it’s true.

So a meeting between President Trump will not persuade North Korea to give up its weapons – the fact that they have them is why they feel they can now negotiate. Assuming that the meeting doesn’t actually makes things worse (I can’t think why some people would think that?) there’s no way they’re giving up what they’ve sacrificed mightily to obtain.

I argued here that the reality of a nuclear weapon and a loss of confidence in the protection of the US would push both South Korea & Japan down the road of nuclear weapons. As it happens those aren’t the nations next in line at the nuclear checkout. That would be Iran & Saudi Arabia.

So how comfortable do you feel about a world in which India & Pakistan have nuclear weapons, North Korea does and then in that calm oasis of peace known as the Middle East – a nuclear Israel, Iran & Saudi Arabia? The chances that there would be a war to prevent that scenario is quite high.

Of course all this is speculation and talk until the day it isn’t.

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/war-is-not-going-anywhere/feed/012530In Peterson we trust?http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/in-peterson-we-trust/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/in-peterson-we-trust/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 13:50:48 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12511We are, it seems, still living in the Jordan Peterson moment, as every man and his dog chimes in with reaction, praise or criticism to Peterson, his 12 rules and what it all means.

One interesting note is how often people link the word ‘gospel’ with Peterson. On the one hand it’s an easy, lazy headline but it also strikes at the heart of what Peterson is doing. He is a herald, he is proclaiming a message. Everyone seems to be agreed on that; but as is our wont we are bitterly divided as to whether what he is preaching is good news or not.

I think there’s truth and urgency in his warning that the human soul has roots that descend all the way to hell and each of us needs to recognise this capacity for evil in ourselves and each other and work out what to do about it.

His central message is a thoroughgoing critique of modern liberal culture, which he views as suicidal in its eagerness to upend age-old verities. And he has learned to distill his wide-ranging theories into pithy sentences, including one that has become his de facto catchphrase, a possibly spurious quote that nevertheless captures his style and his substance: “Sort yourself out, bucko.”

Put those two claims side by side and we see that in some ways Peterson’s message is that there is chaos on the inside of the soul and in the culture. His solution is to ‘sort yourself out.’ I’m not sure that yet qualifies as either good or news.

Peterson’s ethical vision is one that allows for true manly virtue, celebrating a self-mastered virility, in a society where virtue has typically been presented as feminizing and in which the idealized man is all too often a domesticated one.

In a longer explanation Alistair writes,

Peterson presents men’s responsibility as grace, not law. Responsibility, for Peterson, is a declaration of the possibility of meaningful and purposeful existence; we have been given the capacity to impact the world for the better and the world needs us to make that difference. Strong and responsible men are not burdened with the blame for the world’s problems or beaten down by a perfectionist standard to which they can never attain, but encouraged and assisted to do what they can to change things. Responsibility is held out as an invitation to rise up to honour, not as a source of crushing shame. This is a message that builds men up, rather than tearing them down: it isn’t until many men encounter someone like Jordan Peterson that they really how hungry they have been for such a message.

Here we have a better insight into why someone telling men to ‘sort themselves out’ is not being rejected but wholeheartedly embraced – because it is ‘an invitation to rise up to honour’. That is a powerful message even if the means by which he calls men to rise up may ultimately prove to be law and not grace.

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/in-peterson-we-trust/feed/012511What I watched in February 2018http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/what-i-watched-in-february-2018/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/what-i-watched-in-february-2018/#commentsMon, 05 Mar 2018 13:01:28 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12501I’m tracking my screen consumption in 2018 to help me learn and see what I’m doing with my time. Here are some of the films and TV shows I watched in February.

Films

I actually watched more movies in February but that includes several more kids movies. So as a family we enjoyed The Emperor’s New Groove, Nanny McPhee, Babe, The BFGand Tangled. The BFG is a favourite and has been watched several times but of the new films for us I think we enjoyed Babe the most.

Glory Road is a very earnest film about racism and sports based on a true story. It played it by numbers a bit too much. Seven Poundshad an interesting premise about a man’s search for redemption but it also showed how guilt can crush you.

TV

We did however watch less TV in February. Nature documentaries claimed top spot in February with Life from the BBC. We also watched some of Secrets of the Earth and 72 dangerous animals: Australia. In March we’re going to watch Blue Planet 2.

We also consumed some episodes of Brooklyn 99, Scorpion and Elementary.

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http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/researching-the-route/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 12:58:45 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12494In his book Reaching the Nations Mike Frisby helps churches work with people who are engaged in cross-cultural mission. After having profiled the personnel and clarified the call, Mike recommends researching the route.

In this section Mike helps the prospective worker think through issues such as short or long-term service, what additional ministry training is needed, what cross-cultural training is required, what additional life-skills would be helpful and learning where necessary a new language.

In addition Mike reminds us that we need cross-cultural workers to be well grounded in the Word of God.

It is essential that all those involved in seeking to reach people from another culture be well grounded in the scriptures. They should have a good grasp of the principles of interpretation of scripture (hermeneutics) and proven ability in applying the scriptures to their everyday lives. We are looking for self-feeders who love the word of God and are seeking to be obedient to its teaching. (See 2 Timothy 2:15)

The level of biblical competency required will depend largely on the sphere of future ministry activity. Has the person attained a sufficient level of biblical competency? Could they benefit from further training? Are there suitable training options within your own local church or region?

It can also be helpful to ascertain whether or not there are specific subjects or areas of doctrine or practice that are relevant to their intended sphere of service. (For example justice; suffering; restitution; sovereignty of God; Spiritism; idolatry; family life; singleness; ancestors; angels; demons; etc.)

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/researching-the-route/feed/012494Clarifying the callhttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/clarifying-the-call/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/clarifying-the-call/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 16:31:36 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12485In his book Reaching the Nations Mike Frisby helps churches work with people who are engaged in cross-cultural mission. In his chapter ‘clarifying the call’ Mike says:

If we were honest most of us would like a definite unmistakable call to serve God, attended with supernatural signs. After all, wasn’t this the way it was for God’s servants in the past? (For example: Moses at the burning bush; Isaiah in the Temple; Saul on the Damascus road.)

Today, we still hear stories of similar dramatic encounters with God that set the course of a person’s life and ministry. However, the plain truth is that for most people their call to serve cross- culturally will be an on-going process over a period of time that builds to an utter certainty of the will of God for their lives. The important thing to remember is that God knows people individually and will lovingly guide him or her into the unique part He has planned for them to play in the extension of His kingdom on the earth.

On some occasions in the past people were sent to other nations who were not seemingly “well prepared and ready to go”. Nevertheless, those who proved in the end to be wonderfully effective in their cross-cultural ministry give testimony to the fact that it was a clear call to cross-cultural work in another nation that strengthened and sustained them through many difficult times.

So what are some of the common elements in this vital area of a person’s call to cross-cultural work in another nation? Mike then poses questions in the areas of motivation, realism, maturity, effective ministry, call of God and the local church to help the aspiring cross-cultural worker and their church discern their sense of call.

The questions are thoughtful, careful and very, very helpful. You can get the book here

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/clarifying-the-call/feed/012485Profiling the Personnelhttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/profiling-the-personnel/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/profiling-the-personnel/#respondTue, 20 Feb 2018 13:14:32 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12474In his book Reaching the Nations Mike Frisby helps churches work with people who are engaged in cross-cultural mission. In the chapter ‘profiling the personnel’ Mike says:

While the old saying still holds true that “availability is more important than ability” and Scripture teaches that “the Lord chooses the weak to confound the strong”, nevertheless, there are some basic qualities one is looking for in those offering themselves for cross-cultural work. (See Judges 6:11-16, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Good training can develop character and skills, and good teaching can rectify a lack of knowledge. However, serious flaws in any area will not disappear simply because the person is transported into a new and exciting environment! As a general rule of thumb, if you would not be happy giving responsibility to them and using their gifts in your own local church, then they are not ready for cross-cultural work at home or in other nations.

Mike then gives a whole series of questions to help you assess a worker in the areas of character (creditable, dependable, teachable, generous, natural, fruitful & resourceful); relational skills, family, health, work experience & life skills.

The questions are thoughtful, careful and very, very helpful. You can get the book here

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/profiling-the-personnel/feed/012474Reaching the Nationshttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/reaching-the-nations-2/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/reaching-the-nations-2/#respondMon, 19 Feb 2018 13:13:59 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12467Despite the fact that there are more Christians right now than ever before because of population growth there remains more people than ever before who have never heard of Christ. The missions task remains urgent. As Mike Betts says in his foreword to a new edition of Mike Frisby’s Reaching the Nations:

Our concern for God’s glory means that we have a love for all peoples, languages, tribes, tongues and cultures. The whole world was made for Jesus and by Jesus, and His family will be gathered from every tribe and tongue, and the truth is that as believers we are “one new man in Christ”. A mature expression of God’s church on the earth will surely show us a gloriously diverse church.

God promised to Abraham that every people group on earth would be blessed, and we are Abraham’s spiritual descendants in Christ (Galatians 3:29). Jesus promised that the end would come after the gospel of the kingdom had been preached in every nation (Matthew 24:14). He then commanded us to go and make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:19). The call to the nations is clear and we want to embrace it.

We also believe that we are all on a mission together rather than simply sending ‘missionaries’. In a globalised world many nations and cities are multi-cultural with hundreds of nationalities living side by side. In other words, we are all called to mission; wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whatever our role.

An immensely practical how-to book, Mike Frisby equips churches to help cross-cultural pioneers clarify their call, research their route, send their servers, maintain momentum and debrief and care for returning workers.

In his endorsement of the book Bryan Knell, former Church Relations Director with Global Connections, says:

Mike Frisby is a thoughtful and well-read promoter of mission. This is a brilliant book – not too big and not with all the answers. It is a book that raises questions, rather than giving answers. It will help busy church leaders to identify the real issues, to not overlook important areas, to understand the pressures that people are going to grapple with, to face up to what care for those in living overseas will involve and to help a congregation take seriously the priestly task that God gave to Israel and then to the church. The bullet-pointed sections are great, the questionnaire are tremendously helpful and the list of books comprehensive. Thanks Mike for a great resource.

This is not a book that deals with the why of missions, it’s a book that helps you do the how of identifying, equipping and supporting men and women who are engaged in cross-cultural missions. As a result any church that has sent people to this labour (whether with a missions agency or not) should have a copy of this book on their shelves.

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/reaching-the-nations-2/feed/012467The Curiosity Index (12.02.2018)http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/the-curiosity-index-12-02-2018/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/the-curiosity-index-12-02-2018/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 08:37:02 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12408The 11 cities most likely to run out of drinking water – like Cape Town

]]>http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/7-dimensions-to-salvation/feed/012384The church & the search for happiness in an ocean of lonelinesshttp://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/the-church-the-search-for-happiness-in-an-ocean-of-loneliness/
http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/articles/the-church-the-search-for-happiness-in-an-ocean-of-loneliness/#respondTue, 06 Feb 2018 11:19:09 +0000http://thesimplepastor.co.uk/?p=12362It is a well-documented fact that Christianity in the West has been on a decades long march from the centre to the fringes of society. What’s now apparent (and is something of a surprise to some people) is that this retreat has not been entirely beneficial. The retreat of the church has left some significant voids which societies are struggling to fill.

Millions of people are unhappy and lonely. That’s a huge problem. Humans are social animals and without social interaction we become depressed, vulnerable, suicidal and open to exploitation. It’s not a pretty picture.

It’s also a huge problem for governments because that leads to an increase of mental health problems, loss of productivity, fragmenting families and more. All of these have high social and financial costs. And as populations age the situation is only likely to worsen.

If you pay attention to their solutions on happiness you’ll notice the following: donating to charity, volunteering & helping others, deep relationships, gratitude, opportunity for new relationships, having meaning and purpose, encouragement to live out your values, support in changing your bad habits to good ones and more. The church was (and in many places still is) the place where these functions of life were met.

So the tide of faith flowed out, people stopped going to churches and governments were generally OK with this. Lots of people thought this was a good thing. A few decades later they realise that millions of people are feeling stranded on a beach, lonely, thirsty for relationship and meaning.

I’ve never been to a Sunday Assembly but I’m generally positive about them. Why do I quite like what The Sunday Assembly are saying? Because it’s offering me much of what I love about the church – friendships, helping people, wonder, gratitude. These agnostics and atheists are being very up front. They realised their lives were missing something and saw that the church had a lot going for it and are quite openly stealing the bits they like. They’re being true to their convictions and see the solutions as achievable without any recourse to a deity.

My guess is that the human propensity to be independent, selfish, greedy, controlling, lazy or malicious will infect those noble attempts as much as it has the church.

The church could and should make more of the fact that it is a place that has many of the elements needed for human flourishing – community, generosity, purpose, gratitude and so on but also again content for the truth.

There was and is a desperate need for real friendship – not manipulative or exploitative – but real. Strength is gained from human relationships but the greatest relationship and friendship of all is found in Christ. He is the one who provides meaning. Ultimately of course only Christ can be the perfect friend. He says to his disciples – ‘I have called you friends.’ It’s a most moving and beautiful picture. He is our friend. He is our reason for working. He is our ‘ raison d’etre’ (reason for being). He is our real minister for loneliness.